Early Return Possible For Lowell

September 13, 2003|By Harvey Fialkov Staff writer

If all goes well, injured Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell could return to play the final two games of the regular season.

Lowell, who broke the fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand after getting hit by Expos pitcher Hector Almonte's fastball on Aug. 30, said that because his fracture is a "butterfly fragment," or zig-zag shaped, further caution must be taken.

The original prognosis was that he'd be out for a month and possibly be ready for the postseason, if the Marlins qualified.

His next appointment with Marlins hand specialist Dr. Brian Fingado is in two weeks. If he gets the OK, Lowell will immediately squeeze the bat, take dry swings and hit off the tee. Lowell said he would take batting practice Saturday, Sept. 27, and hopefully play that night against the Mets.

Lowell said that Almonte, a former Marlin, sent him an apology note after hitting him.

"I'm hoping we could clinch so I could use those two games to get ready," said Lowell, who was hitting .279 with a career-high 32 homers and 105 RBI. "Me playing could give someone a day off that needs one."

The right-handed Lowell started soft finger exercises and tossing Friday, but with a designated catcher. The Marlins are 9-2 since Lowell went on the disabled list.

"If we keep winning, it's a little bit more bearable," he said.

Manager Jack McKeon remains patiently optimistic.

"You got to get him some at-bats somewhere along the line," McKeon said. "He'd certainly be another threat in that lineup."

WISHFUL THINKING

The first picture Tim Spooneybarger saw as he was being wheeled into the operating room on Tuesday was of injured Braves reliever John Smoltz, who underwent the same Tommy John ligament replacement procedure on his right elbow in 2000.

Spooneybarger, 23, is hoping to return by next July, however, the usual time of recovery for this procedure is 12 to 18 months, which would end his 2004 season.

"That's my hope ... the best-case scenario," Spooneybarger said.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews transplanted the ligament from Spooneybarger's upper left thigh. He also operated on Smoltz, a former starter, who has become one of the major league's premier relievers.

"I felt good seeing all those athletes on the wall," said Spooneybarger, on the DL since June 17. "If I could come back like him [Smoltz], I'll take it." ...

Catcher Mike Redmond, who took a fastball off his left forearm in Wednesday's win over the Mets, didn't take batting practice but was available to play. ...

Braves right fielder Gary Sheffield, an integral member of the Marlins' 1997 world championship team, recognizes similar qualities to this year's wild-card contenders.

"We also had a lot of young guys and then we added some veterans like Darren Daulton," Sheffield said.

Sheffield said the addition of Pudge Rodriguez lent "credibility" to a franchise he remembers with fondness.

GET SOUVENIRS APPRAISED

During Sunday's game, Professional Sports Authenticator, a California-based sports card and memorabilia authentication service, will give free appraisals, similar to the Antiques Roadshow television program, to fans wanting to know if they have a special baseball card, signature or other valuable souvenir.

PSA will also be displaying rare baseball memorabilia, including the 1909 T-206 Honus Wagner baseball card that sold at auction for nearly $1.3 million, in the east tent at Gate G at Pro Player Stadium from 10:30 a.m. through the end of the Marlins' game.